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@article{184292,
        author = {Rashmi Suhas Pethe and Dr. Neeraj Rawat Sharma},
        title = {A Role of Higher Education in Fashion Design: Policy-Driven Strategies for Sustainable Fashion Futures and Handloom Heritage},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {805-808},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184292},
        abstract = {India’s handloom sector, one of the oldest and most culturally significant textile traditions, sustains rural livelihoods and supports sustainable production but faces challenges such as declining artisan numbers, raw material shortages, and limited integration with modern fashion education. This study examines the role of higher education in preserving handloom heritage through policy-based interventions. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines fieldwork in Ilkal and Guledgudda (Karnataka) with survey data from fashion design students.
Field visits captured artisans’ perspectives on raw material supply, labour costs, skill transfer, and pandemic-related disruptions, while surveys evaluated students’ views on industry exposure, artisan collaboration, and entrepreneurial potential. Policy review covered the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), Handloom Mark Scheme, SFURTI, and vocational learning provisions under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Findings highlight a gap between policy intent and implementation, particularly in fostering sustainable artisan–designer partnerships. The study recommends integrating structured artisan engagement, craft cluster immersion, and collaborative design projects into higher education curricula. Such initiatives can bridge policy, markets, and craft communities, while enhancing cultural preservation, improving student employability, and supporting sustainable artisan livelihoods.},
        keywords = {Handloom Heritage, Higher Education, Sustainable Fashion, Policy Frameworks, Artisan–Designer Collaboration},
        month = {September},
        }